Brenda Baney, CEO of BCubed Consulting, has volunteered with AIAG for over 20 years. Learn about her contributions, challenges, advice, and more in this informative Q&A.

AIAG: What motivated you to join our workgroup?

Brenda Baney: A colleague invited me to an AIAG workgroup meeting while visiting Detroit, and I appreciated the collaborative dialogue between Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers about what was working and what wasn't.

AIAG: What are your key takeaways (and/or an experience that stands out) from your time volunteering?

Baney: As the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act first dropped in the U.S., there were expectations about large companies publicly stating whether they were conflict-free. Early AIAG Responsible Sourcing group discussions on this topic had OEMs ready to ask for full sourcing information for tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG) on a component-by-component basis following the non-governmental organization desire to map the supply chain. After several heated debates, a consensus about first steps was reached, and an AIAG subgroup worked with an IT service provider to create one of the first platforms used by a majority of the automotive supply chain.

I believe this effort helped standardize the form and necessary flow down and then back up the supply chain for companies to obtain actual smelter purchasing data. In a relatively short number of years, most 3TG smelters were identified, allowing pressure to be put on trouble spots. In the non-competitive environmental regulatory and responsible sourcing spaces, AIAG committees have helped develop common practices and resources that are the envy of other industries.

AIAG: What specific contributions are you most proud of?

Baney: During my tenure as co-chair of the OHCL, which were early days for the International Material Data System (IMDS); supplier organizations were struggling with addressing common reporting practices and OEM specific additional requirements. I reached out to internal colleagues in Europe and Japan, which led to discussions with CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) and Japan Auto Parts Industries Association

teams with similar goals. The Supplier Alliance was born and over the next 10 years became the go-to place for the IMDS Steering Team. The Supplier Alliance has met several times with the Chinese government about environmental and responsible sourcing topics. This informal group has become a favorite for automakers and suppliers to get valuable supplier feedback and critical forward plans from OEMs.

AIAG: What challenges did you encounter while volunteering, and how were they resolved?

Baney: Covid was a huge challenge for the yearly IMDS conference, but it allowed for global expansion when it was completely remote and has led to a hybrid model, which works well today and likely into the future.

AIAG: What industry trends or challenges should this group focus on in the future?

Baney: The corporate social responsibility groups and committees can continue their focus on non-advocacy environmental, social, and governance issues with a need to get new volunteers, especially from Tier 1s and 2s who have to decipher multiple OEM requirements into a common message to their suppliers.

AIAG: Are there any tools, resources, or strategies that you found particularly helpful during your time with the group?

Baney: The yearly AIAG conferences are great for networking with people in other companies doing the same job. This is especially helpful in smaller companies where the employee may be doing material compliance, responsible sourcing, and a myriad of other quality- or customer-related tasks.

AIAG: How has volunteering at AIAG impacted your career?

Baney: I've learned a lot about the entire supply chain interactions and made some great friends from company colleagues and AIAG personnel.

AIAG: Is there anything you wish you had accomplished or focused on more during your time with the group?

Baney: Personally, I wish there was a way to use the excellent technical base knowledge of the AIAG Chemical Management Workgroup to educate regulators without it being called advocacy.

AIAG: What advice would you offer those considering volunteering at AIAG?

Baney: Volunteering provides a person with much more information and networking than they may realize. It's a great opportunity to see how others do your same job, how to get a great idea into the hands of your suppliers and/or customers, and generally make a positive impact.

AIAG: What’s next? Any personal or professional plans you’d like to share?

Baney: BCubed was born in 2016 after a storied career at GM and Delphi. I plan to continue to support clients and industry by utilizing my extensive background in automotive and electronics materials and best practices for creating business processes that are nimble, effective, and affordable.

Get Involved
Interested in volunteering with AIAG in corporate responsibility? Member companies have the opportunity to have their voices heard when the next generation of industry standards, guidelines, and processes are debated and developed. You'll work side by side with your customers and competitors, along with other OEMs and suppliers to make the entire industry run as efficiently as possible. Learn more here, or email cr@aiag.org.